2. Puritanism under Charles I

Question 1

John Smyth

Answer 1

Adopted baptist ideas and later established the general Baptist movement - rejected infant baptism and predestination

Question 2

How large was Puritanism in the 1620s?

Answer 2

There were at least 5 Puritan churches in England, w/ a membership of about 150 - suggesting there was a small but well-established tradition of Puritanism at the start of Charles I’s reign

Question 3

Catechism

Answer 3

Book that contains questions and answers that can be read and learnt in order to take part in Church ceremonies and sacraments.

Imposed by Laud - to teach the laity set prayers and Church doctrines, which were to be learned by heart.

Question 4

To what extent was there Puritan dissent under Charles I?

Answer 4

• Not clear - but about 100 ministers emigrated to New England to avoid losing their livings

Question 5

How did Charles and Laud punish Puritan dissent?

Answer 5

Used the Prerogative Courts - e.g. Burton, Bastwick and Prynne

Question 6

How did Burton, Bastwick and Prynne dissent?

Answer 6

Burton attacked bishops in his sermons

Bastwick wrote anti-Arminian texts

Prynne was a lawyer who wrote his Histriomastix in the 1630s, denouncing stage plays and actresses as ungodly

Question 7

The leading members of the opposition in the Long Parliament were…

Answer 7

Puritans - John Pym, John Hampden, Earl of Warwick and Lord Sayer’s and Sele opposed Charles over Ship Money, but were against him anyway for his promotion of Laud and support for Arminianism.